On Saturday, Missouri’s acting governor Mike Kehoe signed a significant legislative package. This package would provide hundreds of millions of dollars in direct financial help to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. Just days after their Missouri lawmakers adopted the package this earlier week, this jump was taken. It’s intended to keep both teams in Missouri as their leases with Jackson County and Kansas City, respectively, come up for renewal in January 2031.
The money aims to offset recent moves that have threatened to leave the future of the franchises in limbo. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs are looking at a $1.15 billion renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. In the meantime, the Royals have recently released plans for a splashy $2 billion ballpark district proposed for downtown Kansas City. Local voters resoundingly rejected a 40-year sales tax extension that would have made it possible to finance these very ambitious projects.
In the wake of this blow, Kansas legislators rushed to disburse bonds to pay for up to 70% of the new stadium’s cost. With this change, both teams will have a truly competitive opportunity. Kansas’ proposal will sunset on June 30. Unsurprisingly, the Chiefs and Royals aren’t wasting any time putting their plans in place before the deadline.
Missouri’s new legislation does a commendable job addressing the immediate need for funding. It authorizes special bonds that can pay for up to 50% of a team’s stadium or stadium renovation costs. It includes reimbursement provisions for up to $50 million in tax credits for each stadium. Local jurisdictions within Missouri are required to donate undefined matching funds to help fund these projects.
The Chiefs and Royals have expressed their commitment to remaining in Missouri but have indicated the necessity of a solid plan by June 30. This legislative package provides carrots and sticks to incentivize both teams to invest in their facilities. It seeks to retain them in the state, allowing them to continue their cultural and economic contributions to the state.
The legislative actions raise the stakes for a growing sense of urgency around sports infrastructure needs and return on community investment. Recently, Democratic state Representative Kimberly-Ann Collins experienced a tornado that severely damaged her home and neighborhood in St. Louis, highlighting the pressing need for community resilience and investment in local facilities.
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